Systems and methods for hand sanitization monitoring and compliance

ABSTRACT

Hand-washing systems and methods are proposed enabling monitoring, reminding, recording, and reporting functionalities. The hand-washing systems and methods include wearable devices equipped with RFID and vibration capabilities. The wearable RFID devices permit users to provide data pertaining to the hand-washing activities of the user in, for example, health care related settings. The data can be collected and, in turn, shared with relevant entities for reporting purposes.

This present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/885,471, filed Jan. 31, 2018, and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/452,851, filed Jan. 31, 2017, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally directed toward systems and methodsused to monitor hand-sanitization practices of employees, andparticularly directed toward monitoring the hand-sanitization practicesof health-care providers and recording and reporting data to meetcompliance requirements.

BACKGROUND

The medical advantages of hand washing can be traced as far back as 1847stemming from the work of Semmelweis, who was an early pioneer in thefield of aseptic procedures. Semmelweis instituted hand washing withnon-medicated soap in combination with chlorinated lime solution anddiscovered decreases in mortality rates in patents. What Semmelwis'swork uncovered, and the modern medical profession knows well today, isthat microorganisms can be transferred from health care workers (HCWs)to patients and vice versa.

Most commonly, this transmission occurs is through direct contact by theHCW with the pathogen. The hands of HCWs may be colonized orcontaminated with pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiellapneumoniae, Acinetobacter species, Enterobacter species, or Candidaspecies, for example. In addition, it has been demonstrated thatmicroorganisms accumulate on HCWs' hands over time during patient care.Therefore, hands of HCWs can transmit pathogens even without previouscontact with other patients. Even using gloves does not completelyprotect against contamination of the hands.

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomialinfections, are a serious public health problem and a major cause ofmorbidity and mortality. HAIs can also prolong the length of hospitalstays thereby increasing costs throughout a healthcare system andfurther increase chances for additional infections. This problem of HAIis, in part, directly related to lack of compliance for hand washingamongst HCWs. The financial impact to hospitals, specifically, and thehealth care system, generally, is appreciable and unacceptable. HAIsstemming from failure to comply with hand-washing protocols isavoidable. Furthermore, strategies investing in systems and methods tominimize the occurrence of HAIs could potentially free up monies to beinvested elsewhere, for instance, in renovations of the hospital,research and development, and recruitment and retention of HCWs.

SUMMARY

A long-felt and unmet need exists for systems and methods to monitor andrecord hand-sanitization practices of employees, and particularlymonitoring and recording the hand-sanitization practices of WCWs. It isfurther advantageous for such recording and reporting of hand-washingmethods to be compiled in useable data, which can be reported to showcompliance with sanitary requirements.

The present disclosure is directed to a spatially activated remindingdevice to track users and their activities in a space. Furthermore, thepresent disclosure includes systems and methods that utilize moderntechnology in a novel way to meet hand-washing compliance requirementsfor HCWs: radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, vibrationmotors, and communication networks.

RFID is a generic term for technologies using radio waves toautomatically identify people or objects. There are several methods ofidentification, but the most common is to store a serial number thatidentifies a person or object, and perhaps other information, on amicrochip that is attached to an antenna (the chip and the antennatogether are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag). The antennaenables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader.The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID taginto digital information that can then be passed on to computers thatcan make use of it.

An RFID system consists of a tag, which is made up of a microchip withan antenna, and an interrogator or reader with an antenna. The readersends out electromagnetic waves. The tag antenna is tuned to receivethese waves. A passive RFID tag draws power from field created by thereader and uses it to power the microchip's circuits. The chip thenmodulates the waves that the tag sends back to the reader and the readerconverts the new waves into digital data.

Active RFID tags have a battery, which is used to run the microchip'scircuitry and to broadcast a signal to a reader (the way a cell phonetransmits signals to a base station). Passive tags have no battery.Instead, they draw power from the reader, which sends outelectromagnetic waves that induce a current in the tag's antenna.Semi-passive tags use a battery to run the chip's circuitry, butcommunicate by drawing power from the reader. Active and semi-passivetags are useful for tracking high-value goods that need to be scannedover long ranges, such as railway cars on a track, but they cost adollar or more, making them too expensive to put on low-cost items.Companies are focusing on passive UHF tags, which cost less than 50cents today in volumes of 1 million tags or more. Their read range isn'tas far—typically less than 20 feet vs. 100 feet or more for activetags—but they are far less expensive than active tags and can bedisposed of with the product packaging.

Passive and active RFID transponders or tags contain coiled antennas toenable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from anRFID reader or transceiver (which also includes an antenna). Thetransceiver converts the radio waves returned from the RFID tag into aform that can be passed onto computers. Typically, a serial number thatidentifies a product uniquely, and sometimes other information, isstored on the RFID tag (which typically can store up to 2 KB of data).Passive RFID tags do not have a power supply. A minute electricalcurrent induced in an antenna by the incoming radio-frequency scanprovides enough power for the tag to send a response. Active RFID tagshave an on-board power source and may have longer ranges and largermemories than passive tags and the ability to store additionalinformation sent by the transceiver. Semi-passive RFID tags use anon-board power source to run the tag's circuitry but communicate bydrawing power from the transceiver. Chips in RFID tags can be read-writeor read-only.

In embodiments a spatially activated reminding device utilizing RFIDtechnology and vibration mechanisms remind the HCW to wash his or herhands upon entering and exiting the patient hospital room. When the HCWenters the room, a vibration may be activated on the wearable RFIDdevice reminding the HCW to sanitize their hands utilizing knownmethods, including, without limitation, antiseptic gels, soaps, andfoams, before and after making patient contact. The tactile stimulationbeing used may be randomized and pulse modulation employed each timeprovider enters and exits room, thus eliminating the chances of becomingimmune to the reminder. The device may be paired with an RFID readingsensor which may be installed on a single or multiple locations;including: (1) door frames to patient rooms, (2) sink/hand gelsanitizing units throughout the hospital. In an embodiment, every sinkor hand gel unit with a soap and/or hand-gel dispenser will be pairedwith a sensor and communication device. Every time the sink or hand gelunit is activated by dispensing soap and/or hand-gel, the sink or handgel dispenser will send data corresponding to the activation to anappropriate data collection and analysis location. Data will then becollected from the sink and gel station activations and analyzed as apercentage compliance rate. This data will be compared to pre-existingHAI rates to determine the effectiveness of the product. Data will beutilized as a means to report percentage compliance rates which willthen be used to communicate with billing insurance companies such asMedicare/Medicaid to negotiate new pricing for services provided giventhat they stay above a set percentage compliance rate.

Personal Wearable RFID Device

In an exemplary embodiment, a healthcare worker (HCW) wears or otherwisecarries a personal device. The device may utilize one or morecommunication modules, for example a radio frequency identification(RFID) unit. The device may be in the form of or attached to a wearablearticle, for example a cellular telephone, bracelet, anklet, ornecklace, or may be clipped onto clothing.

In some embodiments, the wearable device may comprise an RFID tag(comprising a microchip with an antenna) and a battery. The RFID tag mayoptionally be passive such that a battery would not be required, oractive or semi-passive, in which a battery may be required. In additionto an RFID tag, the wearable device may comprise an RFID scanner. Thewearable device may also comprise a processor in communication withmemory and a storage device.

The wearable device may additionally comprise one or more feedbackmodules, including for example a speaker, a vibrator, and a display. Thewearable device may comprise a speaker operable to perform one or moreof a number of functions, e.g. beep upon low battery, beep upon crossingthrough a doorway, beep upon satisfying a requirement (e.g. visiting ahandwashing station), sending a message to the wearer, etc.

The wearable device may comprise a vibrator module. The vibration modulemay comprise a motor in connection to a power source. The vibrationmodule may be configured to cause a portion of the wearable device tovibrate at particular times. The vibration module may vibrate every timethe wearable device is scanned by an RFID scanner, or scanned by aparticular RFID scanner or a group of scanners. For example, a userwearing the wearable device may be notified via a vibration uponentering a patient room due to the wearable device being scanned by anRFID scanner on a doorframe.

The wearable device may comprise an LED light, or other form of display,may be used to track a battery level, flash upon crossing through adoorway, or flash upon satisfying some requirement (e.g. visiting ahandwashing station).

The wearable device may comprise a communication module, for example oneor more of a wireless network adapter, Bluetooth, USB, etc. In someembodiments, the wearable device comprises one or more communicationmodules. A communication module may comprise one or more of a wirelessinternet connection (Wi-Fi) adapter, Bluetooth, a USB connection, etc.The wearable device may be powered by a battery. Alternatively, in anembodiment the wearable device may be simply comprise an RFID tag withno power source.

The wearable device may comprise software operable to perform a numberof functions. For example, in some embodiments, the wearable device maycomprise an RFID scanner. Upon scanning a doorway RFID tag, the wearabledevice may be operable to perform a number of reactions in response. Forexample, the wearable device may vibrate in some pattern to remind theHCW to wash his or her hands. Alternatively, or in addition tovibrating, the wearable device may flash LED lights or make a noise uponscanning a doorway RFID tag. Tags in other locations or on particulardoorways could be associated with different reactions.

In other embodiments, the wearable device may comprise an RFID tagwhich, when scanned by an RFID scanner, reacts in a number of possibleways. For example, an RFID scanner on a doorway may scan the wearabledevice upon the wearer crossing through the doorway. The wearable devicemay react by vibrating, lighting up, beeping, or some other way ofnotifying the user.

Scanners or RFID tags in other locations may be associated withdifferent reactions. For example, different vibration patterns, beeptones, lights, etc. may be programmed based on a particular door, aparticular sink/gel station, or a particular bedframe.

Bedframe RFID Scanners and/or Tags

RFID scanners and/or RFID tags may be affixed to stationary objects,such as doorframes, sink/gel stations, and beds.

In some embodiments, RFID scanners, or RFID readers, may be positionedon doorframes and operable to scan wearable devices as an HCW wearing awearable device walks through the door. Such an RFID scanner may beoperable to alert the wearable device it has been scanned, as well asrecord into a storage device connected to the RFID scanner a databaseentry listing a wearable device ID and a timestamp in association withthe scanned wearable device.

In embodiments wherein a doorframe is equipped with an RFID scanner, thescanner may be in communication with a number of elements, for example amemory and storage device, a processor, a battery or other electricalpower component, an LED or other display device, a speaker, and/or anetwork connection (e.g. a Wi-Fi adapter, Ethernet cable, or otherdevice). In such embodiments, the RFID scanner should be operable torecord instances of wearable devices being read by the scanner. Adatabase may be created and stored in memory or other storage on thescanner device. The database may otherwise be stored on a serverconnected to one or more RFID scanners via a network connection.Database entries may comprise instances of scanned HCW wearable devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, a database may be created and stored on anRFID doorframe scanner device hard drive, the database storing instancesof HCW wearable devices scanned by said particular doorframe scannerdevice. Such a database, or entries thereof, may be transmitted via anetwork and combined with databases from other scanners to create amaster database comprising a list of all wearable devices scanned by allreaders throughout the network.

In some embodiments, doorframes may be equipped with passive RFID tags.In such embodiments, a wearable device worn by a HCW may be operable toscan such tags and record each instance of scanning.

Sink and Gel Station RFID Sensors, Scanners, Readers, and Tags

In some embodiments, RFID scanners, or RFID readers, may be positionedon or around a sink and/or gel station and operable to scan wearabledevices as an HCW wearing a wearable device approaches and/or uses thesink and/or gel station. Such an RFID scanner may be operable to alertthe wearable device it is being scanned, as well as record into astorage device connected to the RFID scanner a database entry listing awearable device ID and a timestamp in association with the scannedwearable device.

In embodiments wherein a sink and/or gel station is equipped with anRFID scanner, the scanner may be in communication with a number ofelements, for example a memory and storage device, a processor, abattery or other electrical power component, an LED or other displaydevice, a speaker, and/or a network connection (e.g. a Wi-Fi adapter,Ethernet cable, or other device). In such embodiments, the RFID scannershould be operable to record instances of wearable devices being read bythe scanner. A database may be created and stored in memory or otherstorage on the scanner device. The database may otherwise be stored on aserver connected to one or more RFID scanners via a network connection.Database entries may comprise instances of scanned HCW wearable devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, a database may be created and stored on anRFID sink and/or gel station scanner device hard drive, the databasestoring instances of HCW wearable devices scanned by said particularsink and/or gel station scanner device. Such a database, or entriesthereof, may be transmitted via a network and combined with databasesfrom other scanners to create a master database comprising a list of allwearable devices scanned by all readers throughout the network. In someembodiments, sinks and/or gel stations may be equipped with passive RFIDtags. In such embodiments, a wearable device worn by a HCW may beoperable to scan such tags and record each instance of scanning.

In certain embodiments, a sink and/or hand gel unit can be equipped withan automatic soap and/or hand-gel dispenser. Upon activation of theautomatic soap and/or hand-gel dispenser by a user to disinfect theHCW's hands, a signal will be communicated from the sink and/or hand gelunit though one or more paired sensors and/or communication devices.Every time the sink and/or hand gel unit is activated by the HCW todispense soap and/or hand-gel, the sink and/or hand gel dispenser willsend data corresponding to the activation to an appropriate datacollection and analysis location. The sink can be programmed to onlysend data when soap and/or gel is either automatically dispensed ormanually dispensed, and not send data upon dispensing only water.

Bedframe RFID Scanners, Readers, and/or Tags

In some embodiments, RFID scanners, or RFID readers, may be positionedon bedframes and operable to scan wearable devices as an HCW wearing awearable device walks near or up to a bed. Such an RFID scanner may beoperable to alert the wearable device it has been scanned, as well asrecord into a storage device connected to the RFID scanner a databaseentry listing a wearable device ID and a timestamp in association withthe scanned wearable device.

In embodiments wherein a bedframe is equipped with an RFID scanner, thescanner may be in communication with a number of elements, for example amemory and storage device, a processor, a battery or other electricalpower component, an LED or other display device, a speaker, and/or anetwork connection (e.g. a Wi-Fi adapter, Ethernet cable, or otherdevice). In such embodiments, the RFID scanner should be operable torecord instances of wearable devices being read by the scanner. Adatabase may be created and stored in memory or other storage on thescanner device. The database may otherwise be stored on a serverconnected to one or more RFID scanners via a network connection.Database entries may comprise instances of scanned HCW wearable devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, a database may be created and stored on anRFID doorframe scanner device hard drive, the database storing instancesof HCW wearable devices scanned by said particular bedframe scannerdevice. Such a database, or entries thereof, may be transmitted via anetwork and combined with databases from other scanners to create amaster database comprising a list of all wearable devices scanned by allreaders throughout the network. In some embodiments, bedframes may beequipped with passive RFID tags. In such embodiments, a wearable deviceworn by a HCW may be operable to scan such tags and record each instanceof scanning.

In yet another embodiment, a room could have multiple beds and thesystem could notify a HCW to wash his/her hands after the HCW's wearabledevice has been scanned by a bedframe RFID scanner.

LED “Bed Guard”, “Stop/Go” Feature

In one embodiment, a hospital room may be equipped with an LED “bedguard” or “stop/go” feature. This feature may be particularly useful incontact isolation cases. In such an embodiment, a bed in a hospital roommay be surrounded by lights placed in the floor. The lights may operateto alert HCW of a requirement to perform some function upon entering theroom. For example, the lights may turn red upon detecting a HCW enteringthe room. The lights may remain red until (1) the HCW visits the sinkand/or gel station to wash his/her hands, or (2) the HCW exits the room,at which point the lights may turn off or turn green or otherwise alertthe HCW of the possibility of approaching the bed.

In some embodiments, the lights are to remain red at all times exceptwhen a HCW is detected entering a room and then his/her wearable deviceis scanned by a sink or gel station RFID scanner. In other embodiments,the lights are to remain off at all times except when a HCW is detectedentering a room, at which point the lights turn red. If the HCW isdetected as approaching the sink/gel station, the lights may turn green.If the HCW is detected as leaving the room, the lights may turn off.

In yet another embodiment, the lights may turn back to red upondetecting a second HCW entering the room, despite having turned greenfor a first HCW after the first HCW is detected as using the sink/gelstation.

In embodiments wherein a room is equipped with a “Bed Guard” function,the LED lights may be in communication with a number of elements, forexample a memory and storage device, a processor, a battery or otherelectrical power component, a display device, a speaker, and/or anetwork connection (e.g. a Wi-Fi adapter, Ethernet cable, or otherdevice). In such embodiments, the “Bed Guard” function should beoperable to record instances of the “Bed Guard” function being used. Adatabase may be created and stored in memory or other storage on thescanner device. The database may otherwise be stored on a serverconnected to one or more RFID scanners via a network connection.Database entries may comprise instances of scanned HCW wearable devices.

A bed guard function processor may operate in communication withdoorframe, bedframe, and sink/gel station RFID scanners within the roomand compile a database of all instances such scanners read wearabledevice RFID tags. Such a database may be used to verify thefunctionality of the bed guard function, the obedience of HCW to followguidelines, and for the processor to determine in which state the LEDlights should be.

In yet another embodiment, a room could have multiple beds and a numberof bed guard function systems could be used to control the movement ofdoctors and nurses throughout a hospital room, and could notify a HCW towash his/her hands after the HCW's wearable device has been scanned by abedframe RFID scanner. For example, if a doctor enters a room with threebeds, the bed guard functions of all three beds could turn red. Afterdoctor visits a sink, all three could turn green. After doctor visitsthe first bed, the other two beds could turn red. After the doctorreturns to the sink, all three beds could return to green. After thedoctor is scanned exiting the room, all three bed guard functions couldturn off

Another embodiment of the bed guard function could operate with adisplay monitor as opposed to or in addition to LED lights. For example,if three doctors, A, B, and G, are scanned entering a hospital room withone bed, a monitor could display the names of detected wearable devices.The names could appear red to signify the doctors have not yet visitedthe sink/gel station. After doctor A visits the gel station, his namecould turn green, signifying permission to visit the bed. This systemcould be expanded for a room with multiple beds, wherein each bed has aseparate monitor, or a large monitor could show statuses of all HCWswith wearable devices in the room for each bed.

Servers/Databases

All sensors within a hospital may be operably connected to a computer orserver located in the hospital or externally. Information collected fromthe sensors may be sent to third parties, e.g. insurance companies. Forexample, an insurance company may use sensor data to verify thecompletion of proper procedure within a hospital to provide benefits tocooperating hospitals or to adjust rates based on good hospitalbehavior.

In embodiments, sensor data is sent to a server from a sensor viapackets comprising database entries for each instance of the sensorreading a wearable device. For example, a doorframe mounted sensor mayoperate to be directly connected via a network to a server and send eachscanner reading, comprising, e.g., a wearable device ID, a timestamp,and a sensor ID. Each sensor may be assigned a sensor ID so that thesensors may easily be identified and associated with other sensors inthe same or nearby rooms. For example, room 321 may comprise sensorswith sensor IDs of Door321, Sink321, and BedFrame321. Similarly,wearable devices may be associated with wearable device IDs so thatwearers of each device may be identified. For example, a Doctor Alex maywear a wearable device with a wearable device ID of DrA. When Dr. Alexwalks into room 321, the doorframe RFID sensor should read his wearabledevice ID and send a database entry to the server identifying the sensoras Door321 and the wearable device as DrA.

The data collected from the sensors may be monitored over time and usedto compare a hospital to other hospitals or compare wards or floorswithin a hospital. The sensor data may also be used to conduct otherresearch, for example percentage compliance rates, to keep track of whowas in what room at what time, and to keep track of where people are atthe present time in order to be better able to track people down andpage people.

The system disclosed herein may be used in any number of combinations ofthe features described. For example, a beginner option could be used bya hospital to simply remind HCWs entering a room to perform a function.Such a system could be implemented simply via a wearable device and adoor mounted RFID scanner. An intermediate option could be used whereinHCWs wear wearable devices, and data is collected from RFID scanners ondoorframes and/or sink/gel stations. An advanced option could be usedwith all or some of the functions described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the general description of the disclosure given above andthe detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explainthe principles of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting details of an RFID scanner device inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting details of a wearable device inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting details of a database hierarchicalstructure in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are block diagrams depicting details of exemplarypackets in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting details of a communication system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are block diagrams depicting details of an additionaldatabase hierarchical structure in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams depicting details of an additionaldatabase hierarchical structure in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting details of an exemplary display inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a hand-washing monitoring method inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure

Drawings are not necessarily to be interpreted as being drawn to scale,or to any one particular scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary RFID scanner device 101. Such a scannerdevice 101 may be installed on a doorframe, sink/gel station, bedframe,or any location to operate to scan a wearable device as discussed hereinor any RFID tag. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a scanner may comprise aprocessor 107, a storage device 102, a memory device 103, acommunication module 104, an RFID sensor 105, and an antenna 106. AnRFID scanner to be used in the system disclosed herein may comprise anyor all of the features illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary wearable device 201. Such a wearabledevice 201 may comprise an RFID tag 202 or an RFID scanner 204 with anantenna 205, or a combination thereof. The wearable device 201 may alsocomprise one or more of an LED light 203, a battery 206, a processor207, a memory device 208, and a vibration module 209. A wearable deviceto be used in the system disclosed herein may comprise any or all of thefeatures illustrated in FIG. 2.

The vibration module 209 may comprise various types of vibration motors.For example, the vibration module 209 may include an eccentric rotatingmass vibration motor (ERM), which utilizes a small unbalanced mass on aDC motor. When the ERM rotates it creates a force that translates tovibrations. Further, a linear resonant actuator (LRA) contains a smallinternal mass attached to a spring, which creates a force when driven.The present disclosure contemplates two aspects of vibration: vibrationfrequency, and vibration amplitude. Vibration frequency is denoted inhertz which is measured as Hz=1 cycle per second. Thus, vibrationfrequency (Hz) is RPM/60.

Vibration amplitude is the strength of the force generated by the motorwhich can be determined by the following equation: F=(m)(r)(w²).F=centripetal force in Newtons (N). m=Mass of eccentric mass in (Kg).r=Eccentricity of eccentric mass (m). w=Angular velocity (Rads−1) akaRadians per second. The wearable device 209 as contemplated herein may,thus, be designed to emit vibrations at various frequencies andamplitudes.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary database 300 storing informationcollected by a number of sensors as described herein. The database 300may comprise a number of database entries (304, 305, 306) comprising aDeviceID 301, a SensorID 302, and a Timestamp 303. For example, a sensorwith the SensorID 302 of “Patient0Door” may scan a wearable device witha DeviceID of “DrA” on Feb. 2, 2015 at 12:47 PM. A database entry 304may be created storing this information and stored on a server connectedvia a network to the Patient0Door sensor. This information may becollected to conduct analysis, for example, in the database 300illustrated in FIG. 3, it can be seen that DrA, after enteringPatent0Door, visited the sink station before approaching the bed. Incontrast, it can be seen that DrA entered Patient2Door and approachedPatient2Bed without being scanned by a sink/gel station RFID scanner.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary packet 410 sent from a sensor to aserver database via a network. The packet 410 may comprise fields forfactors such as a device ID 411, a sensor ID 412, and a timestamp 413.Other fields 414 may be used for any other information needed for adatabase, such as a room number, a hospital ID, a ward ID, etc.

FIG. 4B illustrates a second exemplary packet 420 sent from a sensor toa server database via a network. The packet 420 may comprise fields forfactors such as a device ID 421, a sensor ID 422, a type 423 (e.g. Door,Sink, Bed) and a timestamp 424. Other fields 425 may be used for anyother information needed for a database, such as a room number, ahospital ID, a ward ID, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system 500 as described herein. Thesystem 500 may comprise a server 502 with a monitor 501 connected to acommunication network 504. The server 502 may be accessed by aninsurance company 503 via the communication network 504 as well as byone or more third parties 505. The communication network may connect tothe sensors via a communication sub system 507 and a network 508. Thesensors of the system 500 may comprise a bedframe sensor 511, a bedguard function system 509, a sink/gel station sensor 510, a door sensor512, and/or other sensors 513.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary database 610 which may be stored on aserver operably connected to a number of sensors. Such a database maycomprise fields for a device ID 611, a Room number 612, a timestamp 613,and a sensor type 614. For example, a database entry 615 may show adevice with a device ID of DrA was scanned by a BED sensor in room 412at 12:49 on Feb. 2, 2015. A second DOOR scan, or a DOOR scan following aBED or SINK scan may show a doctor has left a room. Such a scan may beshown via an entry in the database, e.g. database entry 616.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary database 620 which may be stored on aserver operably connected to a number of sensors and used to operate a“Bed Guard” function. Such a database may comprise fields for a sensorID 621, a timestamp 622, a “Bed Guard” light status 623, and a user ID624. For example, a database entry 625 may show a device with datashowing that a DOOR sensor scanned a wearable device associated with aDRA. The lights of the “Bed Guard” system, upon detecting a userentering a door turn red as shown in the database entry 625. The lightstatus may change, for example after the doctor enters the door andapproaches the sink station, the lights may turn green. The database mayshow details for a number of wearable devices, such as NurseG indatabase entry 626, and NurseX in database entry 627. As seen in thedatabase entry 628, NurseX visited the sink sensor and the bed guardfunction lights turned Green.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary database 700 associated with a singlesensor describing the scanned devices with the device ID data field aswell as a timestamp in a timestamp field 702. Example entries 703, 704and 705 show a wearable device with a device ID of DrA was scanned bythe sensor a number of times.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary database used to control the functionof a bed guard function for a hospital room with a number of beds. Inthis example, a room with three beds has lights for each of the threebeds. When a first user is scanned by a door sensor the lights for allthree beds turn red. When the first user visits the sink, all three doorlights turn green. When the first user visits a bed number 1, the bednumber 1 lights remain green while the lights for the other beds mayturn red. When the first user leaves the room, the lights may turn off.Such a database entry 716 shows userID 711 of DrA scanned by sensorID712 of DOOR and the light status of Bed1 713, Bed2 714, and Bed3 715 asturn off. When a second user, as shown in entry 717, enters and visitsthe sink, all lights turn green. When the second user, as shown in entry718, leaves the room, the lights may turn off.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary display for use in a hospital roomcomputer monitor, showing permissions for a number of users. Forexample, if a DrA has entered a room and washed his hands, the monitormay show under a column HCW 801 that DrA has permission 802 to visit anyand all beds (entry 803). DrB may have washed her hands and visitedBed1, thus the system shows DrB has permission to visit only Bed1 inentry 804. Nurse A may have similarly washed his hands and visited Bed 2in entry 805, and DrD may have entered the room but has not yet washedher hands and thus is shown to have no permission to visit any beds. Thedisplay may be shown in sight of all in the room so that each user inthe room may quickly assess the current permission status for themselvesand other users. This monitor information may be communicated via anetwork to a master monitor in a control room for the hospital.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method of employing a hand-washingsystem according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Themethod is initiated when a user applies a wearable RFID device 201 (step902). In embodiments the user optionally covers the wearable RFID devicewith one or more barriers step 904. Barriers may include garments ofclothing. Such articles of clothing may include a cotton or wool sock ornylon stocking. Additional articles of clothing include pant legs,skirts, or scrubs.

Once the wearable RFID device 201 is applied to the user, the user mayactivate the wearable RFID device at a first RFID scanner device 101(step 906). Optionally, a vibration module 209 reminds the HCW to washhis or her hands upon entering or exiting the patient hospital room(step 908). For example, when the HCW enters the room, a vibration, orother method of notification including audible sound or visible light,may be activated on the wearable RFID device reminding the HCW tosanitize their hands utilizing known methods, including, withoutlimitation, antiseptic gels, soaps, and foams, before and after makingpatient contact (step 910).

In embodiments of the disclosure, the method includes the additionalsteps including activating the wearable RFID device 201 at an RFIDscanner device 101 at or near the patients' location (step 912). As anadditional and optional step (step 916), a vibration module 209 remindsthe HCW to wash his or her hands after completion of performing thework-related activity (step 914). After the HCW washes his or her hands(steps 910 and 918), an RFID scanner device 101 located at the cleaningstation 510 may record (step 920) and report (step 922) compliance dataaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, anyRFID scanner device 101 regardless of its location may function torecord (step 920) and report (step 922) compliance data as contemplatedin the present disclosure.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, “or”, and “and/or” areopen-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, Band C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “oneor more of A, B, or C”, “A, B, and/or C”, and “A, B, or C” means Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers toany process or operation, which is typically continuous orsemi-continuous, done without material human input when the process oroperation is performed. However, a process or operation can beautomatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received beforeperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material”.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to anycomputer-readable storage and/or transmission medium that participate inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such acomputer-readable medium can be tangible, non-transitory, andnon-transient and take many forms, including but not limited to,non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media and includeswithout limitation random access memory (“RAM”), read only memory(“ROM”), and the like. Non-volatile media includes, for example, NVRAM,or magnetic or optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory,such as main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include,for example, a floppy disk (including without limitation a Bernoullicartridge, ZIP drive, and JAZ drive), a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape or cassettes, or any other magnetic medium,magneto-optical medium, a digital video disk (such as CD-ROM), any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, a solidstate medium like a memory card, any other memory chip or cartridge, acarrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which acomputer can read. A digital file attachment to e-mail or otherself-contained information archive or set of archives is considered adistribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. When thecomputer-readable media is configured as a database, it is to beunderstood that the database may be any type of database, such asrelational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like. Accordingly,the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storage medium ordistribution medium and prior art-recognized equivalents and successormedia, in which the software implementations of the present disclosureare stored. Computer-readable storage medium commonly excludes transientstorage media, particularly electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic,optical, magneto-optical signals.

A “computer readable storage medium” may be, for example, but notlimited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer readable storage medium would include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable mediumthat is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer readablesignal medium may convey a propagated data signal with computer readableprogram code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of acarrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety offorms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or anysuitable combination thereof. Program code embodied on a computerreadable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium,including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable,RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The terms“determine”, “calculate” and “compute,” and variations thereof, as usedherein, are used interchangeably and include any type of methodology,process, mathematical operation or technique.

The term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possibleinterpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section(s) 112(f) and/or112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means”shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and allof the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or actsand the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in thesummary, brief description of the drawings, detailed description,abstract, and claims themselves.

The term “module” as used herein refers to any known or later developedhardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, orcombination of hardware and software that is capable of performing thefunctionality associated with that element.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented herein. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below. Also, while the disclosure ispresented in terms of exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciatedthat individual aspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, andaspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those ofskill in the art will understand how to make and use the systems andmethods disclosed herein after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects,includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items notdepicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments ,configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of suchitems as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., forimproving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intendedto limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In theforegoing Detailed Description for example, various features of thedisclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments,configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspectsof the disclosure may be combined in alternate embodiments,configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This methodof disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention thatthe claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recitedin each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventiveaspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosedembodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims arehereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of thedisclosure.

Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has includeddescription of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects andcertain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations,and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as maybe within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, afterunderstanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rightswhich include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to theextent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalentstructures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or notsuch alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

I claim:
 1. A wearable device, the device comprising: a power supply; afirst processor; a vibration module; and a radio frequencyidentification-enabled (RFID) sensor; and wherein the RFID sensor andthe first processor selectively receives electrical power from the powersupply; and wherein the first processor is in communication with thevibration module and the RFID sensor.
 2. The wearable device of claim 1,the wearable device further comprising: a first antenna; and a firstmemory operable to store at least one of data and instructions forexecution by the processor; and wherein the first antenna and firstmemory selectively receives electrical power from the power supply; andwherein the first antenna receives radio frequency signals fortransmission as electrical signals to the RFID sensor.
 3. The wearabledevice of claim 2, wherein: the first antenna further transmits radiofrequency signals received as electrical signals from the processor; andthe wearable device is operable to communicate with an RFID scannerdevice.
 4. The wearable device of claim 3, wherein the RFID scannerdevice comprises: a second processor; a communication module; a secondRFID sensor; a second antenna; and a second memory.
 5. The wearabledevice of claim 4, wherein the wearable device is in further operable tocommunicate, via the RFID scanner device with components of a network,the network comprising: at least one server; at least one monitor; and aplurality of RFID scanner devices.
 6. The wearable device of claim 5,wherein at least one of the plurality of RFID scanner devices comprisesat least one of a door sensor, a hand-washing station sensor, and a bedframe sensor.
 7. The wearable device of claim 5, wherein the RFIDscanner device, via the network, is operable to communication with oneor more third parties.
 8. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein thewearable device is further operable to communicate via the wearabledevice with a bed guard system, wherein the bed guard system employs atleast one light emitting diode (LED) energized in response to ahand-sanitization requirement of one or more health care workers (HCWs)determined by the first processor and signaled via the wearable deviceto the bed guard system.
 9. The wearable device of claim 7, wherein thewearable device is further operable to communicate via the wearabledevice with a bed guard system, wherein the bed guard system employs atleast one light emitting diode (LED) energized in response to ahand-sanitization requirement of one or more health care workers (HCWs)determined by the first processor and signaled via the wearable deviceto the bed guard system, and wherein data, comprising the handsanitation requirement, is communicated, via the network, to the one ormore third parties.
 10. An electronic hand-washing reminder system, thesystem comprising: (a) one or more wearable devices, each of the one ormore wearable devices comprising: (i) a vibration module; (ii) a radiofrequency identification-enabled (RFID) sensor; and (b) one or more RFIDscanner devices, wherein the one or more RFID scanner devices is incommunication with (a) the one or more wearable devices.
 11. Theelectronic hand-washing reminder system of claim 10, the system furthercomprising: (a) a bed guard function system, wherein the bed guardfunction system comprises: (i) a plurality of LED lights; (ii) a monitordisplay device; (iii) a memory storage device; (iv) a processor; and (v)a network connection.
 12. The electronic hand-washing reminder system ofclaim 10, wherein each of (b) the one or more RFID scanner devicescomprises: (i) a processor; (ii) a communication module; (iii) an RFIDsensor; (iv) an antenna; (v) a battery; (vi) storage; and (vii) memory.13. The electronic hand-washing reminder system of claim 10, the systemfurther comprising: (a) a bed guard function system, wherein the bedguard function system comprises: (i) a plurality of LED lights; (ii) amonitor display device; (iii) a memory storage device; (iv) a processor;(v) a network connection; (vi) a battery; and, wherein each of (b) theone or more RFID scanner devices comprises: (i) a processor; (ii) acommunication module; (iii) an RFID sensor; (iv) an antenna; (v)storage; and (vi) memory.
 14. A method of reminding one or more healthcare workers to sanitize their hands, the method comprising: activatinga wearable radio frequency identification-enabled (RFID) device;emitting a reminder to sanitize hands; and monitoring hand-sanitizingactivities.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of activating awearable RFID device comprises: communicating between the wearable RFIDdevice and an RFID scanner device.
 16. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising: recording data associated with hand-sanitizing activities;and reporting data associated with hand-sanitizing activities.
 17. Themethod of using an electronic hand-washing reminder system of claim 16,wherein the step of reporting data associated with hand-sanitizingactivities consists of reporting data associated with hand-sanitizingactivities to an insurance company.
 18. The method of using anelectronic hand-washing reminder system of claim 16, wherein the step ofreporting data associated with hand-sanitizing activities consists ofreporting data associated with hand-sanitizing activities to a UnitedStates federal health care agency.
 19. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising: activating a bed guard function system, wherein the bedguard function system is in communication with the wearable RFID device,and wherein the bed guard system employs a plurality of light emittingdiodes (LEDs) to alert one or more health care workers (HCWs) ofhand-sanitization requirements.
 20. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising: activating a bed guard function system, wherein the bedguard function system is in communication with the wearable RFID device,and wherein the bed guard system employs a plurality of light emittingdiodes (LEDs) to alert one or more health care workers (HCWs) ofhand-sanitization requirements.